Gulping down a mouthful of fine wine, Laurie said, “All is well, Earl.” When Arutha threw the minstrel a black look, Laurie added, “In truth, sir, all possible is being done. I know the ways of the city as well as any man can who is not one of the Upright Man’s own. Jimmy’s a Mocker. He may discover a lead to the Nighthawks where a dozen spies will find none.”
“Remember,” said Arutha, “I met Guy’s captain of secret police, Jocko Radburn, and he was a cunning, ruthless man who stopped at nothing to try to recapture Anita. The Mockers proved his match.”
Volney seemed to sag a little, then indicated he required the Prince’s permission to sit. Arutha waved him to a chair, and as he sat he said, “Perhaps you are right, singer. It is just that I have no means to answer this threat. The thought of assassins running loose gives me little ease.”
Arutha leaned across the table. “Less than myself? Remember, Volney, it appeared I was the intended target.”
Laurie nodded. “It couldn’t have been me they were after.”
“Perhaps a music lover?” countered Arutha dryly.
Volney sighed. “I am sorry if I am acting poorly in all this. I have wished upon more than one occasion to be done with this business of administering the Principality.”
“Nonsense, Volney,” said Arutha. “You’ve done a capital job here. When Lyam insisted I make the eastern tour with him, I objected on the grounds that the Western Realm would suffer under any hand but my own—which was because of the effects of Bas-Tyra’s rule and no comment upon your abilities. But I am pleased to see this was not the case. I doubt that any could have done better in running the daily affairs of the realm than you have, Earl.”
“I thank His Highness,” said Volney, somewhat less agitated for the compliment.
“In feet, I was going to ask you to stay on. With Dulanic mysteriously gone, we’ve no Duke of Krondor to act on behalf of the city. Lyam cannot announce the office vacant— without dishonoring Dulanic’s memory by stripping him of the title—for another two years, but we can all assume he is dead at Guy’s or Radburn’s hands. So for the time being, I think we’ll plan on your acting the part of Chancellor.”
Volney seemed less than pleased with this news, but took the pronouncement with good grace. He simply said, “I thank His Highness for the trust.”
Further conversation was interrupted by the appearance of Gardan, Father Nathan, and Jimmy. Nathan’s bull neck bulged as he half carried Jimmy to a chair. The boy’s face was drained of color and he was sweating. Ignoring formality, Arutha pointed to a chair and the priest deposited Jimmy there.
“What is this?” asked Arutha.
Gardan half smiled, half looked disapproving. “This young bravo has been running around since last night with a nasty cut in his side. He bandaged it himself and botched the job.”
“It had begun to fester,” added Nathan, “so I was forced to clean and dress it. I insisted on treating it before we came to see you, as the boy was feverish. It takes no magic to keep a wound from putrefaction, but every street boy thinks he is a chirurgeon. So the wound sours.” He looked down at Jimmy. “He’s a little pale from the lancing, but he’ll be fine in a few hours—as long as he doesn’t reopen the wound,” he added pointedly to Jimmy.
Jimmy looked abashed. “Sorry to put you to the trouble, father, but under other circumstances, I would have had the wound tended.”
Arutha looked at the boy thief. “What have you discovered?”
“This business of catching assassins may be even more difficult than we thought, Highness. There is a way to make contact, but it is varied and roundabout.” Arutha nodded for him to continue. “I had to cadge a lot with the street people, but here is what I have gleaned. Should you wish to employ the services of the Guild of Death, you must take yourself away to the Temple of Lims-Kragma.” Nathan made a sign of protection at mention of the Death Goddess. “A devotion is said and a votive offering placed in the urn marked for such, but with the gold sewn into a parchment, giving your name. You will be contacted at their convenience within one day’s time. You name the victim; they name the price. You pay or you don’t. If you do, they tell you when and where to drop the gold. If you don’t, they vanish and you can’t reach them again.”
“Simple,” said Laurie. “They dictate when and where, so laying a trap will not be easy.”
“Impossible, I should think,” said Gardan.
“Nothing is impossible,” said Arutha, his expression showing he was deep in thought.
After a long moment Laurie said, “I have it!”
Arutha and the others looked at the singer. “Jimmy, you said they will contact whoever leaves the gold within the day.” Jimmy nodded. “Then what we need to do is have whoever leaves the gold stay in one place. A place we control.”
Arutha said, “A simple enough idea, once it’s thought of, Laurie. But where?”
Jimmy said, “There are a few places we might take over for a time, Highness, but those who own them are unreliable.”